LOCK IN SUCCESS NOW!
What would you say sets FBS apart from other software used in agriculture?
Is it the tight integration of production
and financial data? Or the almost limitless growth path
and flexibility? How about the financial power of e.CLIPSE
managerial accounting? While each of these is unique to
FBS and vitally important to your success, they can't achieve their potential
without on-going consulting, training and support. We
call it SERVware, and it encompasses everything we do.
You can't expect customizable business solutions for growing and complex operations like yours to "pop out of a box," or even to be provided by a well-meaning "moonlighter." Rather, you'll need personal involvement by an agricultural and accounting-savvy professional.
What's the downside? It requires a
significant time commitment on your part–at least a year
to transition from a "do-it-yourself" recordkeeping model to a standardized,
meaningful management information system. Because there aren't
many folks qualified and willing to provide this service, you need to
schedule training now if you intend to get started this winter.
We are currently recruiting accounting and consulting firms to help us with the monumental training, consulting and supporting tasks. The firm best equipped at this point is Latta, Harris, Hanon & Penningroth, L.L.P., Tipton and Washington, Iowa. Your contact is John McNutt, MBA at (563)886-2187 or mcnutt@lattaharris.com.
To-date, Latta, Harris and FBS Systems have installed
over 30 e.CLIPSE managerial
accounting systems in a wide variety of crop, livestock and manufacturing
configurations. So far, that's translated to 30 different configurations
based on the mix of products and management objectives. Some operations
have internal accounting staff; others will rely on outside professional
assistance (either on-site or through the Internet). While each is at
a different stage in this journey, all are committed to the long-term
quest for uniform, timely and accurate information about the internal
performance of their business in order to make the best decisions.
If you're interested in either consulting or training
in your own operation or providing that service to your clients, contact
norm@fbssystems.com. Scheduling
will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
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CROPSHOP04
SCHEDULED FOR FEDRUARY 10
Mark your
calendars and PDAs for February 10, 2004 in Louisville, Kentucky, for
CROPSHOP04. You'll
experience the latest crop information technology and learn how other
operations are taking advantage of managerial accounting. Plus,
you'll be in position to enjoy the National Farm Machinery Show, which
runs from February 11-14.
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WILLING
TO SHARE YOUR e.CLIPSE
SUCCESS STORY?
We've had a request from a magazine editor for a "specific operation that has adopted the Pork Production & Financial Standards program, more specifically the cost accounting side, which has had a major impact on their decision-making process and, ultimately, their profitability. It would require specific data points and a 'before' and 'after' comparison of actual farm numbers."
Because managerial accounting, by definition, focuses on individual segments (weaned pig costs, facility costs, etc) we trust that some of you will be willing to contribute a specialized and "sanitized" case study (i.e. individual farm or cost centers) for this project without giving strategic business secrets. Please let us know if you're willing to help.
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HOW TO CONVERT KILL SHEETS INTO GOLD
Pork producers
selling to Tyson-IBP can now automatically convert kill sheets
into accounting and inventory records as well as capture carcass traits
by load using the latest update to the FBS Packer Interface module. Already
compatible with Hormel, Farmland ABP and Hog Inc.
formats, the Packer Interface can transfer up to 29 traits, sales categories
and deductions from packer websites directly into reconciled settlement
records and management data.
As a result, you can track and manage much more
data than is practical through keyboard entry. Benefits include:
| • |
Real-time
update of financial records and livestock inventories |
| • |
Ability
to monitor the variable components of revenue (base price, sort
loss, lean premium) rather than just recording "net" dollars |
| • |
Combining
carcass performance with production and financial performance
in the same closeout |
| • |
The
opportunity to "mine" revenue-optimizing knowledge from practically
"free data" (see Figure 1) |
The Packer Interface works in conjunction with
TransAction Plus and Smart Feeder and is priced at $995.00
through December 31, 2003; after then will change to $1495.00.
Other modules are available for importing data
from electronic feed mills, commercial feed accounting programs and Excel
spreadsheets. Contact FBS for more information.
 |
| Figure
1: Packer Interface automatically collects the sales
and carcass data required for optimizing marketing decisions. |
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PASS THE QUIZ-WIN A STYLUS PEN
How's your
accounting knowledge? Ever experienced our Integrated Crop
Software demo? Are you a Successful Farming subscriber?
To take a tour of our demo, click on the link below and take the quiz. If
you answer all the questions correctly, you'll win a 4-In-1 FBS Stylus
Pen. Restricted to one attempt per person. To get
started, click on: Quiz
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IT'S
THAT 'SPECIALS' TIME OF YEAR, FOLKS. AND WITH SAVINGS THIS BIG ON MULTIPLE-MODULE
BUYS, THE WORD ISN'T INTEGRATE – IT'S INTEGREATLY!
For a limited time—choose
from two outstanding offers, each dispelling notions of price being
a barrier to investing in ag's leading integrated management information
system.
SPECIAL
NO. 1: Buy
one program, get a second at HALF PRICE; buy two, get a third program
FREE! Save up to $1,200. Earn 60 days of free
support.
Buy any FBS program listed on our offer
page and you can get a second one of equal or lesser value at 50%
OFF. Or, buy two programs and you'll get a third one of equal
or lesser value absolutely FREE. A great opportunity to get
started with your integrated MIS!
SPECIAL
NO. 2: Buy
the complete e.CLIPSE
management information system. Save $1,390. Get a FREE HP
iPAQ Pocket PC. Two
days of on-site training are included in the package. (Free SST Stratus
software is also included with crops version.) This is our
first special on e.CLIPSE and
one that hands you a turnkey integrated MIS at unprecedented savings.
For full particulars on both specials, including
details on individual programs, features and benefits, call 800.437.7638. Since
these are time-limited offers, don't wait until it is too late!
Free
iPAQ PC and big dollar savings too!
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SOFTWARE Q&A
– WITH Q'S FROM YOU, OUR CLIENTS!
Send us
your questions/problems–be they short, long, simple or downright
frustratin'!–about SeRVware
and we'll handle them right "on the air" for the benefit of all. This month's question came from a Minnesota pork producer.
|
Q.
|
What reports should I run for year-end tax planning?
|
| a.
|
We're going to assume that you are a cash-basis
taxpayer, but using the Accounts Payable and/or Accounts Receivable
modules in TransAction Plus.
Here are the primary reports and how to use them:
Schedule F
This report is designed to match your 1040 Schedule F, but
you've got to configure it to your current chart of accounts. Go
to Setup | Accounting | Schedule F Bridge to do so. Tip:
Click on the View by Account button to find "unassigned" accounts. If you're using A/P and/or A/R select Date Cash Exchanged
option 3 to adjust revenue and expense to a cash position. Remember to include depreciation expense in your calculations
if you haven't been accruing it in your general ledger.
Income Statement
If you select a custom definition (template) make sure you
have configured it to your current chart of accounts. If
you use the Ledger Account option, remember that this may
not include ledger accounts that don't apply to taxable income. If
you're using A/P and/or A/R select Date Cash Exchanged option
3 to adjust revenue and expense to a cash position. Remember
to include depreciation expense in your calculations if you
haven't been accruing it in your general ledger. Tip: If you select Columns to Include = (3) Periods Selected, Date
Range set to the current year, then you can compare with prior
years by selecting the number of Periods to Print.
Account Summary
Use this report to compare actual performance with an Excel
budget created through the Input | Budget | Accounting option. For
Columns to Include, select (2) Period, YTD and Budget. Tip: Some accounts in the Ledger Account Summary may not apply
to taxable income.
Accounts Payable/Receivable Detail Reports
Use this report to predict revenue and/or expenses for unpaid invoices. Run option (1) Unpaid Invoices, All Detail. The income or expense ledger totals are at the bottom of the report.
Call in your questions (800.437.7638) or e-mail them
to support@fbssystems.com.
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sales@fbssystems.com
800.437.7638
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